MEMORIAL HERMANN KATY CELEBRATES VOLUNTEERS

Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital recently celebrated its volunteers during National Volunteer Week. National Volunteer Week was created to recognize and celebrate the efforts of volunteers in 1974. Since then, the original emphasis on celebration has widened. The week has become a nationwide effort to urge people to make a difference by getting out and volunteering in their communities.

At the hospital, volunteers do make a difference. From comforting patients in their time of need to answering phones or providing directions, there is a job for everyone.

Fun Facts:

– 146 individuals volunteer their time at Memorial Hermann Katy.

– Last year Memorial Hermann Katy’s volunteers contributed more than 26,000 hours in various departments.

– While the average age of the hospital’s volunteers is 65, the oldest volunteer is 91 and has been volunteering at the hospital for 34 years.

Those interested in volunteering can contact Heather Rojas at 281-644-7581 or heather.rojas@memorialhermann.org. For more information about Memorial Hermann, visit memorialhermann.org.

GEORGE BUSH HS SENIORS DONATE BOOKS TO MEMORIAL HERMANN KATY HOSPITAL

George Bush High School seniors Chelsea Perez and Kelsey Vargas recently visited Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital to drop off a donation of 108 children’s books. The girls raised $700 to purchase the books through Junior Achievement’s Be Entrepre­neurial™ program, which challenges students to start their own entrepreneurial venture while still in high school.

According to their teacher Chris Cipolla, that’s exactly what the girls did – and in a big way. Earlier this year, Perez and Vargas launched a nonprofit organization called “Chel’s & Kel’s Caring for a Cure” and solicited donations from their classmates and teachers. They also hosted mini-events across campus to raise money. One of their largest supporters was the Lady Bronco Softball team, who pooled their resources to donate $200.

While dropping off the book donation, Perez and Vargas personally delivered books to pediatric patients Hailey Steward, 6, and Jerich Harper, 2.

“It made me feel so good to see the kids’ excitement when we gave them a book,” said Vargas.

Perez agreed: “I know the kids and their families were going through a tough time being in the hospital, so I hope the books brought a little happiness and made them feel better.”

The remainder of the books will be kept by hospital volunteers and distributed to children as they visit the hospital. “We are so very grateful that Kelsey and Chelsea felt inspired to give back to our youngest patients,” said Heather Rojas, manager of volunteer services at Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital.

Both Perez and Vargas will graduate from George Bush High School on June 5th. Perez plans to attend Texas Tech in the fall and wants to pursue a career in accounting. Vargas will attend Schreiner University and will study nursing.